Key Takeaways
• Four undocumented migrants jumped from a train into Buffalo, New York, in March 2024 and were quickly arrested.
• Stricter border policies since January 2025 have increased arrests, detention quotas, forced immigrant registration, and IRS data-sharing with ICE.
• Humanitarian programs like parole and TPS have been reduced, making deportation far more likely for undocumented Indian nationals and others.
A dramatic scene unfolded at the US-Canada border on March 12, 2024, when three undocumented Indian nationals and a man from the Dominican Republic tried to enter the United States 🇺🇸 by jumping from a moving freight train into Buffalo, New York. US Border Patrol quickly arrested all four after a short chase, highlighting the ever-present risks faced by people trying to cross borders without proper papers and showing the growing challenges for border officers.
The Indian woman in the group was injured during the attempt, needing immediate medical help before officials moved her into federal custody. Right now, all four people are being held under the Immigration and Nationality Act, with the three men at the Batavia Federal Detention Facility and the injured woman still receiving care while waiting for immigration hearings that could send them home. Their story shines a light on rising numbers of risky border crossings and the new, stricter border rules that began in 2025.
What Happened at the Border?
On that cold morning in March, the group—two Indian men, one Indian woman, and one Dominican man—jumped from a train crossing the International Railroad Bridge, moving from Canada 🇨🇦 to Buffalo, New York. Officers with the US Border Patrol noticed and acted fast, catching the group after a chase in rough terrain. This event is just one example of extreme steps some people take as they try to find a new life in the United States 🇺🇸, especially as legal entry gets harder.
The Indian woman’s injuries, which happened during the jump, show the real risks people are willing to face. She was treated at a local hospital, but after that, officials took her into custody. Border Patrol booked all four as undocumented immigrants under the Immigration and Nationality Act—specifically Sections 212 and 237, which list who can be kept out of the US or removed if already inside.
Facing Deportation: Much Harder Chances
By April 2025, strict policy changes mean that those caught in incidents like this see their options for staying in the United States 🇺🇸 shrinking. The three men are still being kept at Batavia Federal Detention Facility, which holds people waiting for their day in court, while the injured woman is kept under supervision due to her injuries.
All are facing the risk of being removed from the country—sent back home—unless they can prove they have a strong case for asylum (meaning they are scared to go home because of possible harm or persecution). But these chances are now smaller, as President Trump’s second administration has made the rules even tougher:
– Judges have been told to finish cases quickly, which gives people less time to find help.
– New rules have also made it easier for officials to say someone cannot stay.
Unless any of the four can show they fit into a very small number of protection categories, they will probably be sent back home soon.
Major Policy Changes Making It Harder for Immigrants
Tougher Enforcement and Higher Detention Numbers
Since President Trump started his second term in January 2025, he’s brought many new rules that make life harder for immigrants without papers.
– Every ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) office now must detain at least 75 people every day. That’s more than four times what most offices used to do.
– In cities like New York, this has meant more than double the arrests.
– Because there are not enough ICE officers, the government is now using other types of law enforcement—like US Marshals—to help find and detain undocumented people.
This focus on meeting detention quotas has caused more raids, more arrests, and a lot of fear in immigrant communities.
Mandatory Immigrant Registration
Starting in April 2025, anyone living in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status must register with the government online. If someone is caught and has not registered, they can face fines or even jail time. A judge, Trevor McFadden, allowed this rule to start despite complaints from rights groups that it could hurt or target people unfairly.
For people caught and held by Border Patrol, like the group in Buffalo, entry into the registration system happens automatically. But for people who have not yet had contact with officers, failing to sign up could bring big trouble.
The IRS is Now Sharing Information with ICE
A new rule lets ICE get information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about undocumented immigrants, including their addresses and how much money they make. Many people without legal status pay taxes using a special number called an ITIN, hoping it will help them prove they are following the law. But now, that information can be used to find and arrest them.
So far, no data has actually been sent from the IRS, mainly because of lawsuits that are trying to block the policy. Still, just the threat of this new rule makes many nervous, especially those who have tried to follow the rules by paying taxes.
Cuts to Humanitarian Relief
Programs that used to give certain groups from countries in crisis extra protection have been almost completely cut:
– The “parole” system allowing people from Cuba 🇨🇺, Haiti 🇭🇹, Nicaragua 🇳🇮, and Venezuela 🇻🇪 to come to the United States 🇺🇸 was ended in late March, with about 532,000 people affected. Anyone with parole has until April 24 to leave the country unless they can apply for something else, like asylum.
– Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program for people whose home countries are too dangerous to return to, is now being reviewed and sometimes canceled or not renewed. Refugee admissions have also been frozen pending stricter checks—affecting even people already approved to come.
This means new arrivals like the undocumented Indian nationals and Dominican man in Buffalo have even fewer chances to get any safety net, even if they say they are scared to go home.
Tighter Security and New Vetting Rules
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now checks much more than criminal records. Officials also review social media posts for things like hateful messages before deciding on any application—including asylum. Even things someone said online years ago could count against them.
This new vetting system makes it much tougher for someone to pass the checks needed for any immigration benefit.
The Situation on the US-Canada Border
The border near Buffalo is one of the most complex in the country. The Western New York area has over 340 miles of boundary with Canada 🇨🇦, with both thick woods and busy cities. All this makes it hard to control.
Border Patrol officers are proud when they catch people crossing illegally, arguing that their work keeps the region safe. But rights groups warn that as rules get stricter, people are forced into more dangerous ways of crossing—like jumping from trains or trying to swim rivers. This only leads to more injuries and sometimes deaths.
The government also recently canceled a rule that said officers could not arrest people in “sensitive locations” such as hospitals or schools. Now, migrants seeking emergency help at a hospital might worry about being arrested on the spot. Immigration lawyers say this could hurt people’s health and safety because the fear of arrest may stop them from going to the doctor—even if they are seriously hurt.
What Should Immigrants Do Now? Practical Advice
If you or someone you know is living in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status:
– Register on the official Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website as soon as possible. Failing to do so could bring extra fines, jail time, or quick removal if caught.
– Do not assume that paying taxes with an ITIN will keep you safe. The IRS can now share your information with ICE.
– Even people who might have been able to stay before—as refugees or asylum seekers—are seeing more delays and more rejections.
– If you are stopped by border officers after entering without papers, prepare for quick deportation unless you have strong proof that you will be harmed or killed if sent home, and make sure you pass the brand new social media and security vetting steps.
Legal organizations across the United States 🇺🇸 now urge anyone arrested or detained to ask for a lawyer right away. The rules and laws are changing so fast that only someone with up-to-date knowledge can give the right advice. Even small mistakes on an application or a minor police problem can mean the end of your time in the United States 🇺🇸—because the new policies are stricter than ever.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that undocumented Indian nationals and others in similar situations face an uphill battle. Most face removal unless they can bring strong legal cases and navigate the new requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Changing Landscape: A Tougher Path for All
The March train-jumping incident shows the risks that undocumented Indian nationals—and people from many other countries—are willing to face for a shot at a new life. It also demonstrates just how much the system has changed in the United States 🇺🇸 since the start of 2025:
– There are now more arrests happening, even outside traditional checkpoints.
– Programs that used to help newcomers find safety or get a second chance are shrinking or disappearing.
– New government rules and data-sharing mean privacy is much harder to keep, and following the law in one area (like paying taxes) can now make you easier to find.
– At the same time, dangers keep rising: as laws get tougher, people take bigger risks, leading to more injuries and a greater chance of getting caught or worse.
In all, the latest changes under President Trump’s second term are building a system that focuses mostly on catching and removing people rather than giving them a path to stay. Every new rule seems designed to deter rather than to help.
Conclusion and Next Steps
For undocumented Indian nationals and others caught up in these changes, the chance of staying in the United States 🇺🇸 is now the smallest it’s been in years. Every new step by US Border Patrol and DHS—from quotas to required registration and IRS data-sharing—makes the path more dangerous and uncertain.
If you or someone you care about is facing these challenges, get legal advice quickly and make sure to register with immigration authorities as required by law. Stay informed, as rules change quickly.
You can find official resources for immigrants, including forms, registration steps, and updated rules, on the USCIS government site. Being prepared and knowing what to do next can make all the difference in a time when immigration policy is changing almost every week.
Learn Today
Parole System → A program allowing people from certain countries to temporarily enter or stay in the US due to urgent humanitarian reasons.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A program granting legal protection to eligible nationals from countries facing ongoing armed conflict or natural disasters.
ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) → A tax processing number issued by the IRS to people not eligible for a Social Security Number, often used by undocumented immigrants.
Immigration and Nationality Act → The main set of US laws governing immigration, including reasons for removal, exclusion, and eligibility for benefits.
USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) → A government agency responsible for processing immigration applications, asylum requests, and naturalization in the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
In March 2024, four undocumented migrants leaped from a moving train into Buffalo, New York, facing immediate arrest. Tougher immigration rules since January 2025 mean higher risks, rapid deportation, forced registration, and reduced humanitarian relief for undocumented Indian nationals and others. Legal help is now more crucial than ever.
— By VisaVerge.com
